Will County ILGenWeb Biographies..... 
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File contributed for use by:
Dori Leekly & Margie Glenn

Author: History of Will County, Illinois; Chicago: Wm LeBaron Jr & Co, 186 Dearborn Street, 1878.

Alexander MCKEOWN, rail inspector, Joliet Iron and Steel Works, Joliet; was born in Antrim 
Co., Ireland, Feb. 2, 1851; he attended the common schools and besides was a student in 
Kennedy College, Dublin, nine months; he immigrated to America May 1, 1872, and first 
settled in Joliet, where he engaged in learning core-making in the Joliet Foundry; at 
this he spent eleven months and then engaged in the steel-rail mill as laborer; here he 
worked two months, when he was promoted to the position of rail inspector, night turn; he 
served two years and at the shutting-down of the mills in 1873, he went to Springfield and 
labored at general work in the mills there four months; subsequently, he labored at 
Bridgeport mills seven months, and on the re-opening of the Joliet mills, returned and 
was for three years and four mouths rail inspector on the night turn; in 1877, he went 
to the Vulcan Mills, in St. Louis, and remained seven months; he then went to Mississippi 
and was engaged at various points in State work till March, 1878, when he returned to 
Joliet and was promoted May 1 following, on the re-opening of the mills, to the position 
of rail inspector, day turn; thus, by close attention to business and strict uprightness 
with his employers, he has secured for himself a position of responsibility and trust 
which he richly merits.